Malawi Govt sends 24 spies on forced leave: ‘They were linked to DPP’

About 24 senior officers of National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) believed to be loyal to the previous DPP regime have been sent on forced leave pending redeployment to various ministry departments.

According a well-placed source at the country’s s intelligence (identity shielded) said most of the officers will be redeployed to the Department of Human Resources at Capital hill.

The source also said the development came following directive from State House that some of the officers had links with the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

“Most of the officers that have been redeployed are believed to be from the previous regime and they were not in good terms with the current administration,” said the source.

Mussa: Refuses to discuss security matters

The list includes former Director of Administration Maxwell Tsitsi, who has been redeployed to Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr. Mtawanga has been sent back to Police, former head of Registry Mr .Banda, Mr Kamanga who was the former body guard of Bingu wa Mutharika and former head of surveillance Chris Kalichero has been sent back to Police.

Home Affairs Minister Uladi Mussa said declined to comment, saying “ it’s not right to discuss security matters in the media.”

When President Joyce Banda took over in 2012, her administrated re-organised the intelligence organ of the state.

The President appointed former inspector general of police Joseph Aironi as director of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and retired Malawi Defence Force (MDF) commander general Marko Chiziko is the National Security Adviser.